Autumnal Equinox

Autumnal Equinox - Cooperation vs Innovation

"Human beings are born solitary, but everywhere they are in chains - daisy chains - of interactivity. Social actions are makeshift forms, often courageous, sometimes ridiculous, always strange. And in a way, every social action is a negotiation, a compromise between 'his,' 'her' or 'their' wish and yours."

— Andy Warhol

We are likely to feel strong reactions to the continuing uncertainty and unpredictability in this week's atmosphere. Resistance and defensiveness are both possible. As the waning Moon 'darkens', some may respond to the void that is created with increasing fear while others will recognize the wealth of possibilities inherent in the increasingly uncertain environment. Last month's lessons surrounding self-esteem and self-approval are tested as we begin to move into a new level of interaction, initiated by this Saturday's Libra New Moon (11:26 AM PDT 5° Libra). Significant adjustments will be required under the coming lunar cycle. Essentially, this week asks that we look carefully at our responses to uncertainty and prepare to step out of our isolated contemplation into the realm of collaboration and compromise. Resistance is slowly eroded and defensiveness is smoothed by increased humility. We aren't likely to give up on our own perspectives or let go of our personal judgements. However, as we reach the Autumnal Equinox (the Sun's entrance into Libra), there is no way to escape feeling the isolating effects of our strongly held beliefs. And the isolation quickly becomes intolerable. The relief valve is found by adopting an approach of exploration and discovery. Decisiveness is increasingly elusive under the Libra Sun even when the pressure to make a decision seems enormous. There is simply too much uncertainty in this atmosphere to truly embrace a concrete course of action — unless that course is just to reach out to others and explore new opportunities for collaboration and new alliances.

Our instincts on Sunday are geared towards holding on to what has already been acquired, rather than exploring any new opportunities, producing an atmosphere of resistance. There is a bit more courage to explore on Monday but little sense of direction. Comfort and safety just seems more appealing. The Moon's square to Uranus on Tuesday helps to break down our resistance, leading to a willingness to explore new ideas or innovative new possibilities. The Moon is VOC all day on Wednesday, offering us some extra breathing room to 'let down our hair' a bit and step further away from the resistance to make changes. We seem to recognize a 'void' on Thursday, possibly producing a return resistance in the face of uncertainty. Any demand for decisiveness on Friday is only likely to bring defensiveness. There is more power in exploration and openness that eschews decisions in favor of further exploration. By Saturday, we can't avoid the awareness that isolation in defense of our beliefs is simply intolerable. The only decision that works is a decision to build new collaborative alliances, using compromise and cooperation in order to move forward.